Ambrose falls out of Coca-Cola 600 contention

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - Marcos Ambrose started the Coca-Cola 600 on the front row, but a broken left wheel hub cost him a shot at giving owner Richard Petty a victory in NASCAR's longest race Sunday.

Ambrose, who qualified second for the 400-lap race and started alongside teammate Aric Almirola, was forced to exit the race on lap 217 and immediately took the car behind the wall to be repaired.

"It's been the story of our year," said Ambrose, who came in ranked 18th in the Spring Cup standings. "We put ourselves in great position (to win), but it's a shame. We'll look to get them next week."

Just a few laps earlier, A.J. Allmendinger left the track after a similar issue costing him 36 laps.